SVA_Logo
Student Veterans of America®  |  News
SVA_Logo
About Us
Mission & Vision
History
Our Team
Work For SVA
Partners & Supporters
News
Financials
Contact Us
Chapters
Find A Chapter
Establish A Chapter
Chapter Guide
Introduction
Chapter Onboarding
Chapter Officers
Chapter Operations
Chapter Relationships
Chapter Programming
Chapter Communications
Chapter Marketing & Branding
Chapter Development
Chapter Resources
Update Chapter Contact Info
Alumni
Programs & Events
National Conference
Washington Week
Regional Summits
Visibility Exchange
The Leadership Institute
Scholarships
SVA Liaisons
Career Services Liaisons
Disability Services Liaisons
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Liaisons
Policy Liaisons
Honors Awards
Volunteer Service
VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
Research
Featured Projects & Publications
Life Cycle Atlas
Veteran Opinion Survey
Financial Health Survey
Basic Needs Survey
SVA Census
NVEST
Million Records Project
Government Affairs
Campus Advocacy
Policy Suggestion Portal
Natural Disaster Map
In-State Tuition Map
Resident Tuition Overview
Success Hub
Advising Center
Career Center
Partner Directory
Resource Center
Student Resources
Give
Donate
SVA Store
Partner with SVA
SVA Ambassadors
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
Participate in Research
MySVA Login
← Return to News

Final Bills of the 116th Congress

Advocacy, COVID-19
01/05/2021

Shortly before adjourning the 116th Congress, a massive government funding and pandemic relief bill as well as at the National Defense Authorization Act cleared Congress just in time to ring in 2021. Some of the most important items for student veterans, service members, and their families are outlined below. 

Pandemic Relief 

$23 Billion in Relief Aid for Students and Schools – Schools will receive $23 billion in relief funds to help them meet the challenges of COVID-19. Of the amount they eventually receive, colleges will be required to use roughly the same amount of funding as they did under the CARES Act to provide additional emergency aid grants to students. 

Temporary Expansion of SNAP for College Students – College students may temporarily qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if they are eligible to participate in a federal or state work study program or have an expected family contribution of 0.  

$600 Direct Payments – Non-dependent students will receive up to $600 in direct payments from the federal government if they make up to $75,000 per year. Married couples making up to 150,000 will receive checks for up to $1,200. $600 will also be paid to parents for each dependent child. Payments decrease by $5 for every $100 an individual or couple exceeds the $75,000 and $150,000 thresholds respectively. Individuals making over $87,000 and couples making more than $174,000 are not eligible for these direct payments. 

Childcare Assistance – Provides roughly $10 billion in emergency assistance for childcare providers to help them remain open or reopen through the pandemic. 

Unemployment Assistance – Extends certain unemployment relief from the CARES Act, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). Provides individuals $300 per week through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program on top of existing federal and state unemployment benefits. You can find additional information on pandemic-related unemployment insurance here. 

Emergency Broadband Assistance – Provides $3.2 billion to help low-income families access broadband internet through an FCC program. Funds and establishes several grants and programs to reduce barriers to broadband access. Establishes an office of Minority Broadband Initiatives to expand broadband access in certain minority communities near historically black colleges or universities, tribal colleges or universities, and minority-serving institutions.  

Rental Assistance – Extends the CDC rental eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. Establishes a new program to help low-income Americans pay rent, past due rent, energy, and utility costs during the pandemic. 

Department of Education Provisions 

VA Benefits Removed from FAFSA Calculus – Veterans’ benefits like disability compensation and survivor benefits will no longer count against veterans and their family members when submitting a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), potentially allowing these students to qualify for more Federal Student Aid.  

FAFSA Simplified – The FAFSA has been simplified by reducing the total number of questions from 108 to 36. 

Access to Pell Grants Expanded – About 1.7 million more students will be eligible for maximum Pell Grant awards and nearly 500 million additional students will be eligible for at least the minimum award. Expanded access is based on a new, more generous financial need formula and restoration of eligibility for incarcerated students and those with drug convictions. 

Pell Grant Maximum Award Increased – The maximum Pell Grant will be increased by $150 to $6,495. 

Unemployment Insurance Lack of Income Assumption – To help them qualify more easily for Pell Grants, students applying for Federal Student Aid are assumed to have no income if they received unemployment insurance during a national emergency. 

Extends Employer Student Loan Program – The CARES Act program that allowed employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax-free toward employee student loans has been extended. 

Federal Work Study – An additional $10 million was provided to fund the Department of Education’s Federal Work Study program. 

Childcare Access – An additional $2 million was provided to fund the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program, which is designed to support low-income students through campus-based childcare. 

Department of Veterans Affairs Provisions 

Pandemic Response and Ed. System Improvement Funds – Funds can be transferred within VA to help respond to COVID-19 issues and improve IT systems for education benefits. 

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 

Reserve Loan Repayment Program Increase – The maximum amount the Department of Defense (DoD) will repay for each qualifying student loan for members of the Selected Reserve was increased from $500 to $1,000. 

Skillbridge for Coast Guard – Members of the Coast Guard are now eligible to participate in the DoD Skillbridge Program, which helps transitioning service members learn the skills they need to participate in the workforce. 

JROTC STEM Grants – Provides grants to institutions to help Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) students receive STEM education. 

SMART Program Diversity Measures – Authorizes actions including increased financial assistance for students at historically black colleges or universities and minority-serving institutions, new partnerships, and increased awareness to diversify participation in the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program. 

SROTC and CSPI Diversity Measures – Includes two new pilot programs to address barriers to the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (SROTC) and the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) at historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions that will include, among other things, access to financial assistance. 

Expanded Access to Legal Assistance – Creates new pathways for eligible individuals to obtain free legal assistance at VA locations and through a new pilot program. 

Financial Assistance for In-home Childcare – Establishes a pilot program that will provide financial assistance for service members to help cover the costs of in-home childcare services.  

Expanded Coast Guard Childcare – Expands access to childcare for members of the Coast Guard through, among other things, a new pilot program and off-base family childcare facilities.  

Honoring the Service of Student Veterans During Veterans Month

Student Veteran Robert Pryor’s Journey as a Dominion Energy Intern

Student Veterans of America's 2024 Leadership Institute

Student Veterans of America Receives Greater Texas Foundation Grant

Student Veterans of America Staff Seize the Summer

Student Veterans of America and RTX Announce 2024 RTX Patriot Scholarship Recipients

Student Veterans of America and RTX Announce 2024 RTX SPY-6 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Google Announce 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Summer 2024 Newsletter

Veteran and Military Family Groups Condemn Political Violence in Joint Statement

Student Veterans of America Launches Advising Center

Student Veterans of America's Memorial Day Acts of Service

Student Veterans of America and John Edelman Announce 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Student Veterans Win Big Across University Campuses

Jared Lyon Named to the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council

FourBlock Veteran Career Readiness Program

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Spring 2024 Newsletter

Supreme Court ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough

Library of Congress Hosts a Vets Town Hall

Oregon Tech Visits Washington, D.C.

Chapman University visits Washington, D.C.

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Witner 2024 Newsletter

SVA Presents the Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Public Service Awards

Washington Week 2024

Rep. Levin, Ranking Member Takano Introduce Bipartisan Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act

U.S Department of Veterans Affairs is Transitioning to Single Payment Bank Accounts

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Hosts Special Screening of Masters of the Air

SVA and WWP Living Works START course

SVA Announces New Outreach Coordinators

GWVets Visit the Department of State

How does a Government Shutdown Impact VA Education Benefits?

Introducing Student Veterans of America’s National Academic Advising Center

Student Veterans of America Announces 2023 Honors Awards Recipients

MLK Day of Service 2024

Events

Watch the 2024 State of Student Veterans of America

SVA Announces 2023 Honors Awards Finalists

Navigating Veterans Benefits: Your Guide to the Veterans Claims Clinic at NatCon 2024

NatCon 2024: Service Project, safeTalk Training, Morning Workouts, & more!

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Fall 2023 Newsletter

Join the Mission: Empower Student Veterans on GivingTuesday

Student Veterans of America Celebrates Veterans Month

SVA Chapter Activities During Veterans Month

Student Veterans of America is Recipient of $1 million Donation from The Walt Disney Company

Student Veterans of America 2023 Leadership Institute Professional Development Event

Student Veterans of America Annual Census Survey 2023

What does a Government Shutdown Mean for VA Education Benefits?

What to Know as Federal Student Loan Repayments Resume this Fall

Student Veterans of America and Boeing Host 2023 Regional Summit Conference

Blog

Want to Use VA Education Benefits Overseas? Plan First. Then Enroll.

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Summer 2023 Newsletter

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Comcast NBCUniversal Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and John Edelman Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Raytheon Technologies Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Google Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Advocacy

SVA Applauds Introduction of Legislation to Expand Readmission Protections for students in the National Guard and Reserve

Events

Student Veterans of America Commemorates Memorial Day with Acts of Service

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Celebrates Introduction of VA Work-Study Legislation

Press

Student Veterans of America Update on Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA Delayed Payment for March 2023

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans'

Partners

Student Veterans of America Provides FourBlock Veteran Career Readiness Program Marketing Toolkit

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Spring 2023 Newsletter

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Testifies Before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Advocacy

Tester, Boozman Bipartisan Bill Requires VA to Take a More Comprehensive Look at Veteran Suicide

Partners

Student Veterans of America Announces Formal Partnership with FourBlock 

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Celebrates Major End-of-Year Policy Victories

Partners

Student Veterans of America 2023 NatCon Sponsor and Partner Recognition

Watch the 2023 State of Student Veterans of America

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Winter 2022 Newsletter

Advocacy

VA Delays New Enrollment Manager System to Reduce Impact on Student Veterans

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Fall 2022 Newsletter

Advocacy

Federal Government Announces New Actions on Student Loan Debt

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America PACT Act Status Update

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Presents Testimony on Pending Legislation Before the HVAC EO

Press

Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Student Veterans of America Announce 2022 Patriot Scholarship Recipients

Advocacy

ED to Accept DD-214s in Certifying Military Service for Public Student Loan Forgiveness

Press

Student Veterans of America Receives $8 Million Grant from MacKenzie Scott

Press

Student Veterans of America Names Three Board Members, Including Current Student and Recent Graduate

Events

Watch the 2022 State of Student Veterans of America

Events

Student Veterans of America 2022 NatCon Honors Award Recipients

Events

Student Veterans of America Awards Inaugural Senator Bob Dole Continued Service Award to Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

Events

Media Advisory: Student Veterans of America (SVA) 2022 National Conference

Advocacy

COVID-19 Protections Extended and Rounding Out Restored

Events

Student Veterans of America Honors: Meet our Finalists

Advocacy

COVID-19 Benefit Protections and Rounding Out: Updates for Student Veterans

Press

Student Veterans of America NatCon 2022: Registration is Open!

Advocacy

What the New PSLF Changes Mean for Service Members and Veterans 

Press

Student Veterans of America Joins MTV Entertainment’s Mental Health Youth Action Forum

Press

Rutgers CMSI and Student Veterans of America Partner to Support Student Veterans at MSIs

Partners

Student Veterans of America Alumni Participates in Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship

Press

Student Veterans of America Joins Welcome.US

Partners

Comcast NBCUniversal and Student Veterans of America Announce 2021 Scholarship Recipients

Press

Student Veterans of America Applications Open for 2022 VFW, SVA Legislative Fellowship

Blog

Current Events in Afghanistan: What can Chapter Leaders do to Help?  

Blog

Student Veterans of America Message to Our Community in Response to Current Events in Afghanistan

Advocacy

VHA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Listening Sessions for Veterans

Advocacy

Appropriations Brief: Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Education  

Advocacy

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Press

Student Veterans of America Announces 2021 Google Scholarship Recipients

Blog

Meet the Student Veterans of America Programs & Services Team

Advocacy

Court: Veterans with Multiple Periods of Service Entitled to Additional GI Bill Benefits

Events

Stay Engaged this Summer with Student Veterans of America Chapter Events

Advocacy

Refresh of Higher Education Regulations Announced

Press

Student Veterans of America Names Two New Board Members

Advocacy

What Revitalizing America’s Infrastructure Could Mean for Student Veterans 

Press

Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Student Veterans of America Announce 2021 SPY-6 Scholarship Recipients

Advocacy

House Approves Several Student Veterans of America Policy Priorities

Partners

Veteran Wellness Alliance Offers Trusted Care Through Check-In

Press

Student Veterans of America Joins First National Mental Health Action Day

Events

Student Veterans of America Joins Vietnam War Commemorative Partners

Advocacy

Top Ten Takeaways: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Events

Watch the 2021 State of Student Veterans of America

Events

2021 Student Veterans of America Honors Award Recipients

Events

The 2021 Student Veterans of America Honors Gala: Meet our Finalists

Blog, COVID-19

COVID-19 FAQs

Advocacy

What the CARES Act Means for Student Veterans, Service Members, and their Families

Events

Join Student Veterans of America for the National Day of Service

Advocacy, COVID-19

Final Bills of the 116th Congress

Advocacy, COVID-19

Major Veteran Legislation Clears Congress

Press

Student Veterans of America Statement on VA Office of Inspector General Report

Events

Student Veterans of America NatCon Returns: February 19-20

Events

GVSU Announces Veteran Promise

Events

Student Veterans of America Debuts Public Service Announcement

Events

SVA President Jared Lyon Delivers Veterans Day Remarks

Events

How to Stream Veterans Day Events

Advocacy

#VOTE Like a Veteran

Events

Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Student Veterans of America Announce 2020 Patriot Scholarship Recipients

Events

Jared Lyon Named 2020 NYC Veterans Day Grand Marshal

Advocacy

Volunteer to Power The Polls

Advocacy, COVID-19

Pandemic Assistance for Student Veterans Act Introduced

Events

Veterans Day on Your Campus: Virtual Event Ideas

Events

Student Veterans of America Leadership Institute Applications Open

Advocacy

Moving Beyond Patchwork Systems: The Future of Education Services IT

Events

Student Veterans of America Regional Summit Starts on September 26th

Advocacy

Legislative Updates: Fall 2020

Research

Survey Finds 96% of Student Veterans Will Vote

Partners

Apply for the Raytheon Patriot Scholarship

Partners

Resources for Student Veterans During COVID-19

Events

Watch Home with the Brave: A Graduation Salute

SVA

655 15th Street NW, Suite 320
Washington, D.C. 20005
Telephone: (202) 223-4710

About Us Contact Donate
Programs & Events Research Government Affairs
Chapters Success Hub News
Financials Privacy Policy Terms of Use
© 2024 Student Veterans of America® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Publicity Statement: SVA hosts and attends many events and gatherings throughout the year. As part of SVA’s ongoing communication about these activities, photos and/or videos from those events may be posted on SVA’s website and/or social media pages. It is possible that an individual may appear in these photos and/or videos. Please contact SVA if you would like to have your picture or video removed. Upon receipt of this notification, SVA will remove the image as soon as viable.